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Earlier school start times may hurt children’s brain development
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Elementary school students participate in a coloring contest at a literacy festival and book fair held in Padalarang, West Bandung Regency, on Feb. 18, 2025. (Antara/Abdan Syakura)
W
est Java’s recent decision to enforce earlier school start times across all education levels has aroused concern among educators and experts, who warn that the policy could impair students’ brain development due to disrupted sleep patterns and inadequate rest.
West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi issued on May 28 a circular mandating that students from kindergarten to senior high school begin school at 6.30 a.m., starting from the upcoming academic year in mid-July.
The policy is part of his bigger initiatives to instill discipline and curb youth delinquency, such as street brawls, gang activity and online gaming addiction, through measures like night curfews and sending “misbehaving students” to military-style boot camps.
The latter initiative has sparked criticism from child development experts, who warn it may cause lasting psychological impacts on those admitted.
“To follow the Education and Culture Ministry Regulation No. 23/2017 on school days, and in support of fostering a Pancawulya generation in West Java [...] it is necessary to regulate effective learning hours that optimize students' ability to absorb lessons in the morning, adjusted to their developmental stage and age potential,” the circular states.
Pancawulya refers to a character-building concept promoted in the province, which consists of five core values derived from Sundanese cultural wisdom, namely bageur (kind), cageur (healthy), bener (righteous), pinter (smart) and singer (skillful).
Read also: West Java starts curfew for students, cuts school days
